LEWISTON – An executive order from President Donald Trump is significantly affecting Maine.
This week, funding was suddenly stopped for organizations that help immigrants and refugees settle in the state.
This could mean that people may not have important things they need.
This will affect many people in Lewiston because 110 refugees arrived in the city this year through Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services.
Leaders say that many refugees help the local community and are very important.
“It was really difficult because I didn’t know the language, but I’m happy.” “The restaurant is now open,” said Nelofar Ahmadi, co-owner of Royal Chicken.
Ahmadi moved to the U.S. from Kabul, Afghanistan three years ago and started a business called Royal Chicken on Lisbon Street with her two sisters.
She received help from resettlement groups that assisted her in starting over.
Not all newcomers and refugees will have the same success story.
On January 24, the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration stopped funding for resettlement organizations nationwide.
“It is affecting other resettlement agencies across the country, not just us,” said Rilwan Osman, Director of Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services.
This includes Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services located in Lewiston.
Osman says they assist newcomers and refugees for the first 90 days after they come to the U.S.
The help includes temporary housing and food.
“Osman said that those 90 days are very important for helping them fit into the community.”
Now the charity is scrambling to help these families.
Osman said that as a society and a state, we can all help out and achieve a lot together.
Due to frozen funds, he says they have had to let go of six workers so far.
Osman says they’re still finding out what exactly to do but are accepting donations like food, clothes and apartment furniture for immigrants and refugees who just arrived.
Osman says it’s important for the community to understand that families are properly living here and can work in the state.
“Osman said, ‘We went through strict security checks, got permission from the government to come here, and the government brought us here.'”
Mayor Carl Sheline says that foreigners play an important role in Lewiston.
In 2021, foreigners made up 16 percent of the population in Lewiston, according to our media partners the Sun Journal.
Sheline said, “Our refugees and immigrants come here and open businesses.” Grocery shops. Barber shops. They quickly fit into the neighborhood, and we need them.
Other groups are joining in to help.
Catholic Charities of Maine is dedicated to helping refugees in Maine adjust to life in the U.S.
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